Here's a chance to weigh in on red snapper rules

Wednesday

A federal regulatory panel will lead a public hearing Monday in Baton Rouge on a proposal that could give Louisiana and other Gulf states more control over red snapper fishing.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, 4914 Constitution Ave.

The popular species has been the subject of long-running debate among regulators, environmentalists and sport fishermen.

Anglers complain that federal authorities have set overly restrictive catch limits and unnecessarily short seasons despite a rebound in the species’ numbers. Environmental and conservation groups counter that the shortened seasons are necessary to help the species meet federal targets for rebounding after years of severe overfishing.

The council, which makes recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. commerce secretary, is conducting similar hearings across the Gulf Coast on Amendment 50. It deals with recreational anglers and charter fishermen but not commercial operations.

"Recreational offshore anglers and charter captains have a vested interest in the Gulf Council’s decision," the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission said in a news release this week. "We encourage you to participate in the amendment’s development — it is important that the Gulf Council hears and considers your preferences."

Louisiana, supported by recreational fishing groups in the state, has long sought authority to set season dates and other rules governing snapper fishing in federal waters off its coast, which extend out 200 miles.

Among options, the council could:

Do nothing and retain federal regulations.Give states authority to set season dates and other rules for recreational but not charter fishing.Give states authority over both of those groups.

The federal red snapper catch limit for the Gulf overall would remain in effect, officials said. But if the council gives more control to states, it would have to decide how much of the snapper total each would receive.

The Gulf Council is expected to make a final decision during a meeting scheduled Jan. 28-31 in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The rules would need to receive final approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service before taking effect in 2020.

Earlier this year, the agency approved Louisiana's request to set and regulate red snapper seasons in federal waters off its coast through 2019 under a so-called Exempted Fishing Permit. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission opened this year's season May 25 and closed it Aug. 12 after the state's La. Creel program determined anglers had caught 743,000 pounds, or 98 percent of the federally established quota.

Wounded and disabled military veterans will get an exclusive chance to catch the rest of Louisiana's red snapper quota through the rest of this year. The program was announced last month by Gov. John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Office of Veterans Affairs and the Coast Conservation Association.

The Raceland-based advocacy group Wounded War Heroes will coordinate fishing trips and permits for the veterans who want to participate. Anyone wishing to help or participate can contact Collette Foret, a representative with the nonprofit, via email at info@woundedwarheros.org. Include the words “red snapper” in the subject line. The group is looking for wounded or disabled veterans or boaters who want to take them on fishing trips.

Learn more about the public hearing and Amendment 50 at gulfcouncil.org. A link will allow you to register for a webinar on the amendment scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Jan. 17. Other links will allow you to submit comments or read those submitted by others.

Direct links to all of the materials, as well as a video explaining the issues, accompany this story at houmatoday.com and dailycomet.com.

-- Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.

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